Reclaiming Life After Cancer
- Heart singer Ann Wilson, 74, announced her cancer diagnosis in July, and explained that she had to put her reunion tour dates with her sister Nancy and their band, Heart, on “pause” as she had to begin preventative chemotherapy treatment.
- Ann did not disclose the type of cancer or any further details about her health, but had promised fans she would be back on stage, and now the time has come as she announces a string of new tour dates for the Heart “Royal Flush 2025” tour.
- Some people battling cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close to loved ones only. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid, and you must do whatever is best for you in that moment.
- It’s normal to feel many different emotions after learning that you have cancer. In addition to making a treatment plan with your doctors, it’s important to make sure you have the mental health support you need during your recovery time as well. While it’s important to continue doing things you love, you also want to make sure it’s not too much, too soon. Always listen to your body.
“The best is yet to come!” Ann captioned her social media post. The tour, titled “Royal Flush 2025” by AEG Presents, begins in Las Vegas on February 28 and so far, continues through March 20 in Québec.
Read MoreThe iconic sisters of rock, who grew up in 1960s Seattle, rose to fame with Heart in the mid-’70s with hits such as Magic Man and Crazy on You.
The duo had recently squashed some private family issues and finally joined forces again in October, reuniting on stage for the first time since 2019 as a complete surprise to fans who went wild when Nancy took the stage at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa, Calif., for a rendition of one of Heart’s major hits, “Barracuda” (1977).
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have the answer to a question with us tonight,” Ann said. “A very, very good friend, more than a friend. Let’s bring her out. Come on.”
They also performed the same tune live together on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
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Later on, the legendary siblings gave press interviews together and much to fans’ delight, announced they were finally going back on tour together. After the performance, Ann’s manager Dave Frey, in a statement with the Washington Post, summed up their music partnership.
“Nancy singing with Ann is like Keith [Richards] singing with Mick [Jagger],” Frey said, comparing their energy to the fellow legendary Rolling Stones duo. “It’s the secret sauce. I didn’t realize that until I heard it.”
Ann Wilson’s Health News
Ann first disclosed her cancer diagnosis on July 2, and the songwriter appears to be keeping the details private for now, which she has every right to do of course.
“Dear friends,” Ann began in a letter posted to her Instagram account. “I recently underwent an operation to remove something that, as it turns out, was cancerous. The operation was successful & I’m feeling great but my doctors are now advising me to undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy & I’ve decided to do it.”
“And so my doctors are instructing me to take the rest of the year away from the stage in order to fully recover.”
“To the ticket buyers,” she continued, “I really do wish we could do these gigs. Please know that I absolutely plan to be back on stage in 2025. My team is getting those details sorted & we’ll let you know the plan as soon as we can.”
“Thank you for all the support. This is merely a pause. I’ve much more to sing.”
Signing off with, “Love, Ann Wilson,” she added, “Respectfully, this is the last public statement I’d like to make on the matter.”
Sharing News of a Cancer Diagnosis
So far, Ann has not disclosed what type of cancer she was diagnosed with and that is up to her to share if and when she chooses to.
Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close to loved ones only. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches, and everything in between, are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explained in a previous interview with SurvivorNet.
Respecting a person’s wishes on when and how to share a cancer diagnosis
Questions like, “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients should take into consideration.
“There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means people going through it may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik explained.
She also stressed that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis. Let that person know that you are there to support in any way they may need.
How to Ask for Support
It’s normal to feel a slew of different emotions — from fear to anger to uncertainty — after learning that you have cancer. In addition to making a treatment plan with your doctors, it’s important to make sure you have the mental health support you need as well. This is a challenging time and many people find they need a little extra support to get through it.
Dr. Plutchik suggested the following steps following a cancer diagnosis:
- Step #1: Seek additional support if you need it (or consider speaking with a mental health professional or seeking out a support group)
- Step #2: Make sure to look for a mental health professional who has experience helping people in your situation.
- Step #3: Keep your care team connected. This may include your friends and loved ones, your therapist, and the doctors who are treating your cancer.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends circle. They feel like they have enough support there,” psychiatrist Dr. Plutchik said. “But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional.”
Singing His Way Through Cancer Treatment — ‘Keep Living’
Dr. Plutchik suggests trying to find a mental health professional who has experience helping people as they navigate cancer treatment and keeping your care team connected, so they can stay focused on a common goal.
“Make sure that the mental health professional that you work it is reaching out, with your consent, to the rest of your team, to the oncologist, to the surgeon … it can also be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and any other caretakers that may be involved in the person’s treatment.”
This kind of connected care ensures that everyone is on the same page when it comes to getting a patient the best possible support.
In addition to making a treatment plan with your doctors, it’s important to make sure you have the mental health support you need during your recovery time as well. While it’s important to continue doing things you love, you also want to make sure it’s not too much, too soon. Always listen to your body.
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